ABOUT US
Rooted in faith,
guided by community
We are dedicated to stewarding resources, strengthening communities and doing more good together.
Our Mission
History shaping a
purposeful future
The Foundery Endowment is a modern philanthropic engine that empowers donors to create lasting and faithful impact in their communities through strategic, responsive grantmaking.
A LASTING LEGACY
The Foundery Endowment is a new expression of Wesleyan philanthropy by the Virginia United Methodist Foundation (VAUMF). Our goal is to pool resources to continuously fund new ministries in the church and its communities, bringing United Methodists together in service to the church and the world.
Inspired by the original Foundery in London, an old cannon foundery that soon became a bustling center of Methodist activity in the early years of the movement, the Foundery Endowment aims to bring that same sense of possibility and hope to emerging ministries.
We support ministries of care and compassion that invest in the well-being of children, families and people of all ages in communities across Virginia. We are responsive, future-oriented and data-driven, operating with a high level of integrity and grounded in the 50-year expertise of the Virginia United Methodist Foundation, our parent entity.
Rooted in faith and built for the future, the Foundery Endowment empowers generosity that strengthens communities, fuels ministry and creates lasting impact.
Rev. Dr. STEVEN SUMMERs,
PRESIDENT & CEO, The FOUNDERY ENDOWMENT
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REACH OUT
Connect with our team
Rev. Dr. Steven J. Summers
President & CEO
(804) 521-1149
ssummers@founderyendowment.org
Melissa Knabe
Director of Marketing & Communications
Virginia Methodist Foundation
(804) 521-1118
mknabe@founderyendowment.org
Rev. Chris Allen
Senior VP of Investments & Lending
(804) 521-1151
callen@founderyendowment.org
OUR VALUES
Faithful and forward-looking
Our values are a guiding light in our mission, helping us reach more people and fund faithful giving for the future.
Stewardship
We protect and deploy resources with discipline and transparency. Every dollar is managed responsibly, aligned with donor intent and reported with clarity.
Community
We truly are stronger together. We invite donors and grantees into collaborative relationships to strengthen communities and amplify impact.
Doing More Good
We expand opportunities for generosity to increase impact. The Foundery Endowment spreads the impact of faithful giving through long-term support and timely funding via modern initiatives.
